Christians, Camels, And Calluses

Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

The Greek word is a one from which we get our English word "agonize." Epaphras agonized in prayer, Paul called the Romans to agonize together with him in prayer and Jesus himself agonized in prayer!

III. The Outcome of Prayer

"...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Availeth much (polu ischuei). "Has much force." Present active indicative of ischuo¯ (from ischus, strength). In its working (energoumene¯). Probably the present middle participle of energeo¯ as Paul apparently uses it in Gal_5:6; 2Co_4:12; 2Th_2:7, meaning "when it works." The passive is possible, as is the usual idiom elsewhere. Mayor argues strongly for the passive here, "when it is exercised" (Ropes).

This passage literally means that that "prayer has much force or power...when it is exercised."

a. The energy of prayer

Availeth much comes from a Greek word that is translated "energy." Prayer is powerful, forceful, and effectual!

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~ John Bunyan

Prayer is an effort of will. ~ Oswald Chambers

Our prayer and God's mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends. ~ Arthur Hopkins

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

It is because of the hasty and superficial conversation with God that the sense of sin is so weak and that no motives have power to help you to hate and flee from sin as you should. ~ A.W. Tozer

Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part. ~ Andrew Murray

Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ~ Samuel Chadwick

Prayer -- secret, fervent, believing prayer -- lies at the root of all personal godliness. ~ Williams Carey

www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

The power of prayer does not flow from us; it is not special words we say or the special way we say them or even how often we say them. The power of prayer is not based on a certain direction we face or a certain position of our bodies. The power of prayer does not come from the use of artifacts or icons or candles or beads. The power of prayer comes from the omnipotent One who hears our prayers and answers them. Prayer places us in contact with Almighty God, and we should expect almighty results, whether or not He chooses to grant our petitions or deny our requests. Whatever the answer to our prayers, the God to whom we pray is the source of the power of prayer, and He can and will answer us, according to His perfect will and timing. www.gotquestions.org